The heart behind Four Winds Connections
Listening is at the center of everything we do.
Shahar Fearing
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
After starting her dog training career in the world of assistance dogs, training mobility, hearing, facility and psychiatric service dogs, Shahar established a private practice that focuses on deepening and nurturing the relationships between people and the dogs in their care. Witnessing the healing and growth that comes from a better understanding of animal behavior, and incorporating training into daily practices, is what inspires Shahar to continue to grow her work.
Anna Kucera
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Anna has more than two decades of experience in human and animal well-being nonprofit organizations. With a master’s degree in Executive Public Health Administration and Policy, Anna is passionate about trauma-informed and culturally humble care as well as creating and sustaining psychologically safe workplaces. Anna believes that pets are medicine, and everyone deserves to love and be loved by an animal companion. Her favorite place is on a couch with a book, her two dogs and three cats.
Marilou Chanrasmi
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Marilou is a certified somatics coach, mindfulness and qigong practitioner, conflict resolution mediator, experienced facilitator of circles and the founder of The Ahnung Way. Marilou has been collaborating and partnering with Minnesota tribal communities since 2008, and has served as a liaison, mentor and guide to trusted allies wanting to learn a new way of listening and being in their work with tribal communities. She is a mentor to Indigenous professionals and students with Natives in VetMed and is deeply committed to honoring the wisdom within communities, building authentic relationships, and elevating the voices of those whose stories have gone untold.
Michaela Baltasar-Feyen
BOARD MEMBER
Michaela is the Director of Community Solutions at Animal Humane Society, where she and her team help connect low-income pet families with the resources they need. A first-generation U.S. citizen who immigrated from the Philippines as a child, Michaela feels strongly about prioritizing underrepresented voices. Michaela lives in Minneapolis with 10 very spoiled resident cats, a revolving door of foster cats and kittens, three loud dogs, and a very patient husband.
Stacy Bridavsky
BOARD CHAIR
Stacy is the Executive Director of Lil BUB's Big FUND, the first national nonprofit focused on special-needs pets. Her work centers around advocating for those animals most often overlooked while working to protect and preserve the human-animal bond. Stacy and the BUB Fund are proud to support Four Winds Connections, as they believe this work is an integral piece of protecting and preserving the human-animal bond nationwide.
Cassie Holmes
Niwiin Muck-wa Ikwe, Four Bears Woman
BOARD MEMBER
Cassie was born and raised in East Phillips at Little Earth of United Tribes and is enrolled in Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe. She is a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and partner. Cassie is motivated by her love for her community and is a passionate activist and organizer, fighting for Indigenous rights and environmental justice. Cassie volunteers with LifeSource, anything to do with animals, NARCAN/chest compression training, Make Voting A Tradition, and wherever she is needed. Her current Boards include: East Phillips Improvement Coalition, East Phillips Neighborhood Institute, South Side Green Zone and Four Winds Connections.
Kris Layman
BOARD SECRETARY
Kris has dedicated 30 years to the health and wellness field. As the owner of Prema Yoga, she leads workshops, events and retreats. She is the proud dog mama of Moose, a 7-year-old rescue pup. He is a great traveling companion through life. She is deeply committed to supporting Four Winds Connections in their mission to facilitate change and healing through the human-animal bond.